Okay, in case you hadn’t hear, former Pitt WR Terrell Allen has transferred. He returned to his native South Carolina and will play this coming season for Division I-AA South Carolina State.
SCSU already has one definite newcomer on the way in University of Pittsburgh transfer Terrell Allen. The Spartanburg-Herald Journal’s Paul Strelow reported on Jan. 11 the former J.F. Byrnes standout received a release from Panthers’ head coach Dave Wannstedt to transfer to SCSU, where he will have two years of eligibility and start playing right away next season.
James Madison, Western Carolina, Coastal Carolina, Gardner-Webb, and Eastern Illinois all expressed interest, but Allen settled on SCSU after learning that all of his credit hours from this semester would be accepted.
In two seasons at Pitt, the 6-0, 195-pound wide receiver was slowed by injuries and did not catch a single pass. He did average 24.3 yards as a primary kickoff returner, including a 97-yard touchdown return this season.
With a return to the Palmetto State, Allen hopes to revive his success enjoyed in high school where he was one of only three four-year starters at J.F. Byrnes. A SuperPrep All-American after catching 52 passes for 811 yards and five touchdowns as a senior, he led the Rebels to the first of its four straight Class 4-A Division II titles and was selected to play in the 2002 Shrine Bowl.
“Hopefully I can get out of all this negativity and prove myself,” Allen told the Journal. “I thought I was going to get a chance at the wide receiver position, and things didn’t work out. So I just need to go somewhere where I can be exposed.”
[Emphasis added.]
Reads kinky. Does he think he’s a Michigan Wolverine? (Sorry, couldn’t resist the cheap shot.)
Cornerback Aaron Berry from Bishop-McDevitt High seems to be down to Pitt or WVU (and possibly Minnesota).
Four-star corner Aaron Berry took his third trip this past weekend to one of his top three, West Virginia.
It appears the trip went so well that his final three remain, but Pitt appears to be jumping up.
“I had a good time on my visit,” Berry said. “I felt very comfortable around there and I liked the coaches and campus. I’m down to Pittsburgh, West Virginia, and Minnesota. I’d say that Pittsburgh and West Virginia are ahead of Minnesota.”
“I like those two schools because they are rivals and if I choose one, then I can at least play against the other very year.”
In-home visits will take place between now and the end of his recruiting process. He is done with official visits. A decision is set for some time next week.
A story from a local Florida paper on Tamarcus Porter committing to Pitt.
Cornerback Ricky Gary, Porter’s Pahokee teammate, committed to Pitt in August. The two formed one of the area’s best secondaries this season, helping Pahokee finish 10-2 and runner-up in Class 2B.
Porter, who transferred from Royal Palm Beach for his senior year, had three interceptions as a safety and 672 receiving yards and seven touchdowns on offense.
“Most people think Ricky was recruiting me, but I was the one who got him interested in Pitt,” Porter said. “He just ended up committing before I did.”
Gary said he was excited to hear Porter had officially committed, and that the two have talked about living together at Pitt next fall. Gary and Porter are second cousins.
“I feel like it’s the best fit for both of us,” Gary said.
ESPN.com/Scouts Inc. looks at Big East recruiting, and Pitt is definitely the leader of the the pack (Insider Subs).
Pittsburgh, one of the conference’s powers, had big expectations for the 2005 season. Coming off a BCS appearance in 2004 and the hiring of Pittsburgh native and alum Dave Wannstedt, it looked like the Panthers were poised for big things. While the Panthers failed to meet expectations, posting a 5-6 record this season, the future does not look bleak for this once-proud program.
Located in one of the country’s most talent-rich states for football prospects, Pitt has worked hard to keep in-state talent close to home. So far, out of 23 verbal commitments, 15 are from the state of Pennsylvania.
One the biggest in-state talents Pitt landed is ESPN 150 TE Nate Byham of Franklin. Byham is an athletic player who will bring young blood to a position that needs it.
Another top prospect who will remain in Pennsylvania is ESPN 150 WR Dorin Dickerson (Imperial-West Allegheny). Also, Pittsburgh native Jason Pinkston has verbally committed to the Panthers. The big lineman, who could contribute on either side of the ball, will graduate from Baldwin High, the same high school Dave Wannstedt attended. Pitt also received a verbal from Baldwin linebacker Justin Hargrove.
As a former Miami Hurricanes assistant and Miami Dolphins head coach, Wannstedt is no stranger to the Sunshine State. He has landed four prospects from Florida, led by Pahokee teammates S Tamarcus Porter and CB Ricky Gary.
